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  Bishops Approve Molestation Study

By Frances Burns
United Press International [Chicago IL]
June 18, 2005

Roman Catholic bishops meeting in Chicago have voted to spend up to $5 million for a study of the causes of child sexual abuse.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also reaffirmed the zero-tolerance policy that requires the immediate removal of priests from public ministry when credible claims of molestation are made. If molestation claims are confirmed by church investigators, removal is permanent and the offender can be stripped of ordination.

The bishops extended child-protection policies for five years, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"The light is at the end of the tunnel, although with sin and brokenness there is never an end," Minneapolis and St. Paul Archbishop Harry J. Flynn, who chairs the committee on child sexual abuse, said after the vote.

The bishops approved an initial $1 million for the study of sexual abuse. Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, Calif., answered critics who questioned the expenditure by saying that the church must take action to restore its credibility.

All the measures passed overwhelmingly, with only three or four votes in opposition.

 
 

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